Alabama RB Josh Jacobs says he played with 'broke ankle' since Week 5

Alabama’s Josh Jacobs runs back a kick during the second half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Georgia Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Was Alabama running back Josh Jacobs hobbled for most of the season?

Jacobs tweeted Thursday night that he’d been playing on an injured ankle since Week 5 and he’d be having surgery to fix the injury on Friday.

Lowkey nervous about having surgery tomorrow I've been playing on a broke ankle since week 5. It’s definitely been hard playing knowing that any play could be your last. I'm grateful and blessed to had finish the season much more coming soon #Blessed#Bama#RollTide#TheReturn

Jacobs was Alabama’s fifth-leading rusher during the 2017 season and had 46 carries for 284 yards and a touchdown. The sophomore had 86 carries for 564 yards and four scores as a freshman in 2016.

Jacobs didn’t have any carries in Alabama’s win over Clemson in the Sugar Bowl and had just three carries for eight yards in the Crimson Tide’s overtime win over Georgia in the National Championship Game on Monday night.

His injury might have paved the way for freshman Najee Harris’ emergence in the fourth quarter of the game. Harris was the Tide’s leading rusher with six carries for 64 yards against the Bulldogs. All six of those carries came in the fourth quarter and one of them went for a 35-yard gain.

Scarbrough is heading to the NFL, but Damien Harris is reportedly returning for his senior season in 2018. If he does, Alabama will have a very good returning trio with both Harris backs and Jacobs.